Translation services

Tender description

Tenders are invited for the supply of services in respect of Translation and Interpretation services for Welsh Language, British Sign Language and other Languages. It is the intention of the Council to establish a Framework Agreement which will consist of a number providers under a lotting structure. The Framework is designed to ensure that in terms of the translation and interpretation provision required, the Council has access to a range of providers who can help to deliver the different language requirements, in writing, over the telephone and face-to-face. The Council's Corporate Policy Unit is responsible for arranging all written Welsh language translation for the Council. This is provided by a mix of in-house translation services and some urgent, large or technical work being sent to external providers. The primary method of requesting work and receiving the completed text in return will be via email. The timescales for a provider to respond to an order under this Lot for between 2 001 — 5 000 words is within a maximum of 8 working days. To be priced on a Non Technical English (Charge per Word) including Proofreading. The Council's Corporate Policy Unit is responsible for arranging all written Welsh language translation for the Council. This is provided by a mix of in-house translation services and some urgent, large or technical work being sent to external providers. The primary method of requesting work and receiving the completed text in return will be via email. The timescales for a provider to respond to an order under this Lot for between 5 001 — 10 000 words is within a maximum period of 12 working days. To be priced on a Non Technical English (Charge per Word) including Proofreading. The Council's Corporate Policy Unit is responsible for arranging all written Welsh language translation for the Council. This is provided by a mix of in-house translation services and some urgent, large or technical work being sent to external providers. The primary method of requesting work and receiving the completed text in return will be via email. The timescales for a provider to respond to an order under this Lot for between 10 001 — 20 000 words is within a maximum period of 24 working days. To be priced on a Non Technical English (Charge per Word) including Proofreading. The Council's Corporate Policy Unit is responsible for arranging all written Welsh language translation for the Council. This is provided by a mix of in-house translation services and some urgent, large or technical work being sent to external providers. The primary method of requesting work and receiving the completed text in return will be via email. The timescales for a provider to respond to an order under this Lot for between 20 001 words are to be agreed by the Council and Provider. The Council would expect on average that a minimum of 500 words would be translated per day. To be priced on a Non Technical English (Charge per Word) including Proofreading. BSL is often required by service areas when dealing with Deaf customers, either in Council offices or for some home visits. Individual service areas will be responsible for booking the interpreters from this list and for paying the invoices once the work has been completed, which will include the costs of the hourly rate and travelling expenses incurred. Timescales for this service from receipt of an Official Order, two to five days depending upon the language required. Events or meetings would usually be held during normal office hours during the day between Monday and Friday, but there may be occasions when evening or weekend work is required. Providers will need to ensure staffs are qualified and are a registered BSL interpreter for this service requirement. Staff will need to hold interpreter and BSL qualifications recognised by the Registration Department of Signature (formerly CACDP) Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language and Introduction to Interpreting. This service is often required by service areas for 2 reasons, when dealing with Welsh speaking customers, either in Council offices for arranged meetings or for arranged home visits, or for translation at public meetings. This does not include the normal day-to-day work of dealing with Welsh-speaking customers. Individual service areas will be responsible for booking the interpreters from this list and for paying the invoices once the work has been completed. Timescales for this service from receipt of an Official Order, 2 to 5 days depending upon the language required. Events or meetings would usually be held during normal office hours during the day between Monday and Friday, but there may be occasions when evening or weekend work is required. This service is often required by service areas, when dealing with customers where English or Welsh is not their first language, in writing. Individual service areas will be responsible for booking translators or interpreters from this list and for paying the invoices once the work has been completed. Providers will need to ensure staff for this service requirement holds a Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI). This service is often required by service areas for 2 reasons, when dealing with a variety of different language speaking customers, either in Council offices for arranged meetings or for arranged home visits, or for translation at public meetings. This does not include the normal day-to-day work of dealing with a variety of different language speaking customers. Individual service areas will be responsible for booking the interpreters from this list and for paying the invoices once the work has been completed. Timescales for this service from receipt of an Official Order, 2 to 5 days depending upon the language required. Events or meetings would usually be held during normal office hours during the day between Monday and Friday, but there may be occasions when evening or weekend work is required. The Council has a requirement for Braille or other tactile or touch format transcription service that allows for the translation of written materials, and other electronic media into Braille. Providers will be required to provide transcribers who are fully qualified and fully experienced Braille transcribers and hold the British Sign Language qualification (MRSLI). This service is often required by service areas that are proceeding with legal prosecutions against individuals (interviews under caution) or reviewing court related documents, when dealing with members of the public where English or Welsh is not their first language, either in writing or for face-to-face meetings in Police Stations/ Courts/ Council offices or business premises. Individual service areas will be responsible for booking translators or interpreters from this list and for paying the invoices once the work has been completed. We require that anyone wishing to tender to be on the list of preferred providers for this service can demonstrate that they have relevant qualifications and/or that they have a minimum of 3 years proved experience, and that a satisfactory DBS check has been undertaken. Providers will need to ensure staff for this requirement has the necessary skills and training for Interpreting with the Police and Interpreting in a Court setting. Providers will need to ensure staff for this service requirement holds a Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI). The Council's Corporate Policy Unit is responsible for arranging all written Welsh language translation for the Council. This is provided by a mix of in-house translation services and some urgent, large or technical work being sent to external providers. The primary method of requesting work and receiving the completed text in return will be via email. The timescales for a provider to respond to an order under this Lot for between 0 — 2 000 words is within a maximum period of 5 working days. To be priced on a Non Technical English (Charge per Word) including Proofreading. This service is often required by service areas where interpretation support is immediately required or in an emergency situation when dealing with a variety of different language speaking customers in a variety of different context settings. Any Officer of the Council may contact the service provider at any time 24 hours a day 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. The Council should be provided with a single point of contact for this service including a unique free phone number. Accessing this service and seeking an interpreter is often unexpected, a helpdesk will need to be provided for dealing with calls. The requirement may also assist with geographical limitations where it is not possible for an interpreter to attend a meeting. Council Officers will make every effort to identify the language in which an interpreting service is required. The supplier will have in place a procedure for identifying languages in those instances where Council Officers have been unable to do so.